Aya Hirano#Singles
{{Short description|Japanese actress (born 1987)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Aya Hirano
| image = Aya Hirano.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Hirano at FanimeCon 2019
| native_name = 平野 綾
| native_name_lang = ja
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1987|10|8}}
| birth_place = Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Actress
- singer
}}
| years_active = 1998–present
| notable_works = {{plainlist|
- The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya as Haruhi Suzumiya
- Death Note as Misa Amane
- Lucky Star as Konata Izumi
- Fairy Tail as Lucy Heartfilia
}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Masashi Taniguchi|2024|2024|end=sep}}
| website = {{URL|ayahirano.jp}}
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| genre = {{Flatlist|
}}
| years_active = 2006–present
| label = {{Flatlist|
}}
}}
}}
{{Nihongo|Aya Hirano|平野 綾|Hirano Aya|born October 8, 1987}} is a Japanese actress and singer. Beginning in the entertainment industry as a child actor in television commercials, she appeared in her first voice acting role in the anime television series Angel Tales (2001).
In 2006, she became known for her role as the title character in the Haruhi Suzumiya franchise, winning the Voice Acting Award at the 2007 Tokyo Anime Awards, the Best Newcomer Award at the 1st Seiyu Awards in 2007, and the Best Lead Actress award at the 2nd Seiyu Awards in 2008. In addition, she also provided the voice of Misa Amane in Death Note, Konata Izumi in Lucky Star, and Lucy Heartfilia in Fairy Tail. In 2010, Hirano began transitioning her acting career to television and stage plays, starring in Konna no Idol Janain!? (2012) and Muse no Kagami (2012).
In the late 2000s and early 2010s, Hirano was regarded as an idol voice actor and is notable for being a voice actor who was able to cross over to mainstream entertainment. Along with voice acting, Hirano currently releases music through Universal Sigma. She released her first single "Breakthrough" in 2006, and she released her first album Riot Girl in 2008.
Early life
Hirano was born in Nagoya on October 8, 1987.{{cite web|url=http://ayahirano.jp/profile/|title=Profile|publisher=Aya Hirano|access-date=October 3, 2016|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003144714/http://ayahirano.jp/profile/|archive-date=October 3, 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |script-title=ja:【ぴいぷる】平野綾、声優界の姫からミュージカルで存在感「新しいキンキン声を復活、引き出し増やさなくては」 |url=https://www.zakzak.co.jp/ent/news/180115/ent1801155018-n3.html |work=Sankei Shimbun|access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=ja |date=January 15, 2018}} From age 2 to age 3, Hirano lived in New York, United States due to her father's job,{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-06-06/voice-actress/singer-aya-hirano-to-perform-at-otakon|title=Voice Actress/Singer Aya Hirano to Perform at Otakon|work=Anime News Network|access-date=January 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113215427/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-06-06/voice-actress/singer-aya-hirano-to-perform-at-otakon|archive-date=November 13, 2012|url-status=live}} and she became interested in acting after watching the 1990 Broadway production of Peter Pan.{{cite web | url=https://times.abema.tv/articles/-/10043162?page=1 | title=平野綾、『涼宮ハルヒ』でブレイクも「辞めて裏方に回ろうと」 | trans-title=Aya Hirano, despite breaking out with Haruhi Suzumiya, states, "I considered quitting and doing behind-the-scenes work" | language=ja | work=Abema | date=2022-10-11 | accessdate=2023-11-24}}
Career
=Acting career=
In 1998, Hirano joined the Tokyo Child Theatrical Group division of the {{ill|Space Craft Group|ja|スペースクラフト}} company.{{cite web|url=http://www.jpopgo.co.uk/the-return-of-aya-hirano/|title=The Return of Aya Hirano|first=Paul|last=Browne|date=May 20, 2012|work=J-Pop Go|access-date=July 17, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.spacecraft.co.jp/produce/|title=Space Craft Produce official website|access-date=October 9, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011214621/http://spacecraft.co.jp/produce/|archive-date=October 11, 2007|url-status=live}} After starting her acting career, Hirano began to appear in commercials and received her first role as a voice actress at 14 years old in the 2001 anime series Angel Tales.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2012/otakon/10|title=Aya Hirano Q&A|work=Anime News Network|date=July 28, 2012|access-date=January 31, 2013|author=Manry, Gia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018055613/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2012/otakon/10|archive-date=October 18, 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Angel Tales |url=https://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=76 |publisher=THEM Anime Reviews |access-date=July 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709094355/https://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=76 |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }} In 2002, when she was 15, she voiced co-lead character Lumiere in Kiddy Grade.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/kiddy-grade/dvd-box-set-viridian-collection|title=Kiddy Grade DVD|first=Theron|last=Martin|date=February 5, 2008|work=Anime News Network|access-date=October 7, 2016|quote=On the Japanese side, the dub is most notable for giving a 15-year-old Aya Hirano, who voices Lumière, her first co-starring role.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031083519/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/kiddy-grade/dvd-box-set-viridian-collection|archive-date=October 31, 2016|url-status=live}}
After graduating from high school, Hirano began seriously pursuing her voice acting and solo singing career. Her big break came in 2006, when she was cast as the voice of Haruhi Suzumiya, the title character and heroine of the anime series The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. The series' public success boosted her popularity and career in Japan. Hirano soon became one of the first voice actors who crossed over into mainstream media, as well as one of the first well-known idol voice actors.{{cite news | url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/55993/full/ | script-title=ja:角川とアップフロントがアイドル声優オーディション開催 | language=ja | work=Oricon | date=July 2, 2008 | access-date=December 28, 2018}} This success was followed by her voicing Reira Serizawa in Nana and Misa Amane in Death Note. At the first Seiyu Awards, she won "Best Newcomer (female)", for her role as Haruhi Suzumiya;{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-03-05/results-of-japan's-first-ever-seiyuu-awards-announced|title=Results of Japan's First Ever Seiyuu Awards Announced|work=Anime News Network|access-date=January 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101104842/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-03-05/results-of-japan's-first-ever-seiyuu-awards-announced|archive-date=November 1, 2012|url-status=live}} the same role also won her a nomination as "Best Main Character (female)". At the same awards, she was also nominated for "Best Supporting Character (female)", and earned two nominations for "Best Single" (one of which was for a solo, "Bōken Desho Desho?"; the other was a group nomination for the single "Hare Hare Yukai").{{cite web |title=「声優アワード」ノミネートが発表。平野綾が4部門 －パーソナリティーでは「うたわれるものらじお」に集中 |url=https://av.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20070219/seiyu.htm |access-date=July 9, 2018 |date=February 19, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709094308/https://av.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20070219/seiyu.htm |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }} She also won in the Voice Acting category at the 2007 Tokyo Anime Awards for her role as the lead character in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.{{cite web|title=Results of 6th Annual Tokyo Anime Awards Out|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-03-19/results-anime-awards|work=Anime News Network|date=March 19, 2007|access-date=April 18, 2007}}
Hirano performed at the Animelo Summer Live concerts between 2006 and 2008,{{cite web |title=Animelo Summer Live 2006 -OUTRIDE-┃出演アーティスト |url=https://anisama.tv/2006/artist/index.html |publisher=Dwango |access-date=July 9, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709094302/https://anisama.tv/2006/artist/index.html |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Animelo Summer Live 2008 -Challenge- [アーティスト] |url=https://anisama.tv/2008/artist.html |publisher=Dwango |access-date=July 9, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709064747/https://anisama.tv/2008/artist.html |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }} as well as the Suzumiya Haruhi no Gekisō concert on March 18, 2007.{{cite web |title=DVD 「涼宮ハルヒの激奏」ライブ DVD |date=July 27, 2007 |url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000Q6BDRC |publisher=Amazon Japan |access-date=July 9, 2018 |language=ja}} She was a guest at Anime Expo 2007, along with other cast members from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Minori Chihara and Yūko Gotō.{{cite web|url=http://www.anime-expo.org/?q=guests/guests_of_honor |title=Anime Expo 2007 Guests |year=2007 |access-date=June 3, 2007 |work=Anime Expo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611231700/http://www.anime-expo.org/?q=guests%2Fguests_of_honor |archive-date=June 11, 2007 |url-status=dead }} In 2007, she continued to enjoy great success in her career, landing the role of Konata Izumi in the anime version of Lucky Star. In 2008, at the second Seiyu Awards, she won for Best Lead Actress, and also for Best Singing along with cast members of Lucky Star for the series' opening theme "Motteke! Sailor Fuku".{{cite web| url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-03-09/2nd-annual-seiyu-awards-announced| title=2nd Annual Seiyū Awards Announced| work=Anime News Network| date=March 9, 2008| access-date=January 31, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131013834/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-03-09/2nd-annual-seiyu-awards-announced| archive-date=January 31, 2013| url-status=live| df=mdy-all}}
In April 2011, Hirano announced that she had been prohibited from taking on new voice acting roles since the previous year. She still continued voicing characters for anime that received additional seasons or extended runs.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-04-07/aya-hirano/prohibited-from-acting-in-new-anime-works|title=Aya Hirano: Prohibited From Acting in New Anime Works|work=Anime News Network|date=April 7, 2011|access-date=April 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410123011/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-04-07/aya-hirano/prohibited-from-acting-in-new-anime-works|archive-date=April 10, 2011|url-status=live}} Citing a need for a new agency that was more ideal for her career wishes, she announced on August 12, 2011, that she had left Space Craft Entertainment.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-08-13/aya-hirano-confirms-she-is-leaving-agency-for-another|title=Aya Hirano Confirms She Is Leaving Agency for Another|work=Anime News Network|date=August 13, 2011|access-date=August 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002202843/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-08-13/aya-hirano-confirms-she-is-leaving-agency-for-another|archive-date=October 2, 2011|url-status=live}} On August 21, Hirano moved to the voice acting agency Grick.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-08-20/voice-actress-aya-hirano-moves-to-new-agency-grick|title=Voice Actress Aya Hirano Moves to New Agency Grick|work=Anime News Network|date=August 20, 2011|access-date=August 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925170336/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-08-20/voice-actress-aya-hirano-moves-to-new-agency-grick|archive-date=September 25, 2011|url-status=live}} Days later, on August 27, she posted a message on her Twitter account, confirming that she had resumed new voice acting roles in anime.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-08-27/aya-hirano-returns-to-voice-acting-on-new-works-again|title=Aya Hirano Returns to Voice-Acting on New Works Again|date=August 27, 2011|work=Anime News Network|access-date=August 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925172053/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-08-27/aya-hirano-returns-to-voice-acting-on-new-works-again|archive-date=September 25, 2011|url-status=live}}
In 2016, after a stint in the musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood in Tokyo, Hirano spent four months studying English and voice in New York.{{cite web |last1=Mak |first1=Theodore |title=Aya Hirano Interview @ FanimeCon 2019 |url=https://www.t-ono.net/interview/aya-hirano-interview-fanimecon-2019.html |website=The-O Network |access-date=June 15, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-04-02/voice-actress-aya-hirano-to-study-abroad-in-new-york-for-4-months/.100575|title=Voice Actress Aya Hirano to Study Abroad in New York For 4 Months|date=April 2, 2016|work=Anime News Network|access-date=October 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031012904/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-04-02/voice-actress-aya-hirano-to-study-abroad-in-new-york-for-4-months/.100575|archive-date=October 31, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2016/09/28/aya-hirano-returns-to-japan-after-studying-in-america-reads-some-fairy-tail-in-english-before-she-leaves|title=Aya Hirano Returns To Japan After Studying in America, Reads Some "Fairy Tail" In English Before She Leaves!|date=September 28, 2016|work=Crunchyroll|access-date=October 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009130132/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2016/09/28/aya-hirano-returns-to-japan-after-studying-in-america-reads-some-fairy-tail-in-english-before-she-leaves|archive-date=October 9, 2016|url-status=live}}
=Music career=
File:FanimeCon 2019 127 (47956073941)(cropped).png
Hirano's music career began as part of the band SpringS, which was active from 2002 to 2003.{{cite web|url=http://www.scramble-egg.com/artist/springs.htm|title=Recommended Eggs – Springs (「ユニット名未定」改め)|publisher=Scramble Egg|access-date=January 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128194356/http://www.scramble-egg.com/artist/springs.htm|archive-date=November 28, 2011|url-status=live}} She then released two character image songs in 2005: {{nihongo|"Kimi Kara Onegai My Saint"|キミからお願い★my saint}}, which was used as an ending theme to the original video animation Itsudatte My Santa!,{{cite web |title=キミからお願い★my saint |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/618675/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709011503/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/618675/1/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }} and {{nihongo|"Futari no Imi"|二人の意味}}, which was an image song for her character Mamori Anezaki in the anime series Eyeshield 21.{{cite web |title=TVアニメーション「アイシールド21」キャラクターソング SONG FIELD2 二人の意味 |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/616326/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709011506/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/616326/1/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }}
Hirano's first solo single under the record label Lantis was "Breakthrough", which was released on March 8, 2006; the title track was used as the opening theme of the visual novel Finalist.{{cite web|url=http://www.lantis.jp/artist/data.php?id=2865ad82b46eb8fdcb8ebf49fef96da7|title=Lantis profile|publisher=Lantis|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130033807/http://www.lantis.jp/artist/data.php?id=2865ad82b46eb8fdcb8ebf49fef96da7|archive-date=November 30, 2007}}{{cite web |title=Breakthrough |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/637414/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709153614/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/637414/1/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }} Her next single was {{nihongo|"Bōken Desho Desho?"|冒険でしょでしょ?|It's an Adventure, Right Right?}}, which was released on April 26, 2006; the title track is used as the opening theme of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.{{cite web |script-title=ja:冒険でしょでしょ? |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/646185/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709153617/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/646185/1/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }} The CD sold out in Japan the very day it was released.{{cite web |title=Haruhi Suzumiya CD Sells Out |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-05-12/haruhi-suzumiya-cd-sells-out |work=Anime News Network |access-date=June 4, 2018 |date=May 13, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712034312/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-05-12/haruhi-suzumiya-cd-sells-out |archive-date=July 12, 2018 |url-status=live }} This was followed by the release of an image song single for her character Haruhi Suzumiya on July 5, 2006, which contained the songs {{nihongo|"Parallel Days"|パラレル Days}} and {{nihongo|"SOS nara Daijōbu"|SOS ならだいじょーぶ}}.{{cite web |title=涼宮ハルヒの憂鬱 キャラクターソング Vol.1 涼宮ハルヒ |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/655078/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709153624/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/655078/1/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }} Her third single {{nihongo|"Ashita no Prism"|明日のプリズム}} was released on September 6, 2006.{{cite web |script-title=ja:明日のプリズム |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/665880/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709153627/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/665880/1/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }}
Hirano released her fourth single "Love Gun" on October 10, 2007.{{cite web |title=LOVE★GUN |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/726543/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709064823/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/726543/1/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }} This was followed by her fifth single "Neophilia" which was released on November 7, 2007,{{cite web |title=NEOPHILIA |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/730942/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709064830/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/730942/1/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }} and her sixth single "MonStAR" which was released on December 5, 2007.{{cite web |title=MonStAR |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/736590/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709153622/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/736590/1/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }}
Hirano released her seventh single "Unnamed World" on April 23, 2008; the title track was used as the ending theme to the anime series Nijū Mensō no Musume.{{cite web |title=Unnamed world |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/758075/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709153636/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/758075/1/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }} This was followed by the release of her first solo album Riot Girl on July 16, 2008. She then released the song {{nihongo|"Namida"|涙 NAMIDA ナミダ}} on October 8, 2008, which was used as the ending theme to the anime series Hyakko.{{cite web |title=涙 NAMIDA ナミダ |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/781310/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709153639/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/781310/1/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }}
Hirano released her eighth single "Set me free / Sing a song!" on April 29, 2009.{{cite web |title=Set me free/Sing a Song! |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/814207/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709153644/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/814207/1/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }} She then released her ninth single "Super Driver" on July 22, 2009; the title track is used as the opening theme of the second season of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.{{cite web |title=Super Driver |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/824438/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709064844/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/824438/1/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }} Her second album {{nihongo|Speed Star|スピード☆スター}} was released on November 18, 2009. Her tenth single "Hysteric Barbie" was released on June 23, 2010.{{cite web |title=Hysteric Barbie |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/858136/1/ |publisher=Oricon |language=ja |date=June 4, 2018 |access-date=June 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709153641/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/858136/1/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }} To promote the single, she created a Twitter account which was originally intended to be only used for one day; however, she would continue to use the account after the promotion had ended.{{cite web |first=Aya |last=Hirano |title=Aya Hirano Twitter account |url=https://www.twitter.com/Hysteric_Barbie |publisher=Twitter |access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=ja}}{{Primary source inline|date=January 2020}}
In May 2011, Hirano released a compilation album titled Aya Museum. Later that month, she announced via Twitter that she was no longer performing music for Lantis and had discontinued her music career until further notice.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-05-28/aya-hirano-confirms-she-stopped-performing-music-for-lantis|title=Aya Hirano Confirms She Stopped Performing Music for Lantis|work=Anime News Network|date=May 28, 2011|access-date=May 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531011757/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-05-28/aya-hirano-confirms-she-stopped-performing-music-for-lantis|archive-date=May 31, 2011|url-status=live}} On August 2, 2011, Japanese magazine Bubka confirmed that she was dismissed by Lantis due to her sleeping with several band members.{{cite web|url=http://sg.news.yahoo.com/aya-hirano-sex-scandal-060800561.html|title=Aya Hirano sex scandal|publisher=Yahoo! News|date=August 2, 2011|access-date=August 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110093349/http://sg.news.yahoo.com/aya-hirano-sex-scandal-060800561.html|archive-date=November 10, 2011|url-status=live}} She then returned to music in 2012 and was signed to the record label Universal Sigma.{{cite web |title=平野綾、音楽活動再開へ 5月に1年ぶりCD発売 |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2008886/full/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=July 9, 2018 |language=ja |date=March 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709064801/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2008886/full/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }} Her first release on the label was the mini album Fragments on May 23, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-03-24/aya-hirano-musical-return-detailed|title=Aya Hirano's Musical Return Detailed|work=Anime News Network|date=March 24, 2012|access-date=October 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620234025/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-03-24/aya-hirano-musical-return-detailed|archive-date=June 20, 2012|url-status=live}} This was followed by the song {{nihongo|"Zutto Kitto"|ずっと きっと}} which was released on August 15, 2012;{{cite web |script-title=ja:ずっと きっと |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/977805/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709153619/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/977805/1/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }} the title track is used as the ending theme to the anime film Fairy Tail the Movie: Phoenix Priestess.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-05-30/aya-hirano-to-sing-fairy-tail-film-ending-theme|title=Aya Hirano to Sing Fairy Tail Film's Ending Theme|work=Anime News Network|date=May 30, 2012|access-date=June 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307004733/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-05-30/aya-hirano-to-sing-fairy-tail-film-ending-theme|archive-date=March 7, 2014|url-status=live}}
In 2013, Hirano released two singles: "TOxxxIC" which was released on February 20,{{cite web |title=TOxxxIC |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/1003729/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709153611/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/1003729/1/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }} and "Promise" which was released on October 9; "Promise" was used as an insert song in the documentary film Kitakitsune Monogatari: Ashita e.{{cite web |title=Promise |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/1039333/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709153633/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/1039333/1/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }} She released her fourth album Vivid on February 19, 2014.{{cite web |title=Vivid(初回限定盤) |trans-title=vivid (Limited Edition) |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/1061036/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709064826/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/1061036/1/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=CD Jacket Photos for Aya Hirano's Long-Awaited 3rd Album Revealed |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/01/18-1/cd-jacket-photos-for-aya-hiranos-long-awaited-3rd-album-revealed |publisher=Crunchyroll |date=January 18, 2014 |access-date=January 18, 2020}}
In 2018, Hirano performed the song "Pride", which was used as a character song to the mobile game Granblue Fantasy.{{cite web |title=PRIDE ～GRANBLUE FANTASY～ |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/products/1299433/1/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=November 5, 2022 |language=Japanese}}
On April 24, 2020, Hirano posted a video of herself dancing and teaching the choreography of "Hare Hare Yukai" on her social media accounts to motivate others during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, sparking the hashtag {{nihongo|"#HareHareYukaiAtHomeWithAllYourMight"|#お家で全力ハレ晴レユカイ}}.{{cite news |date=2020-04-26 |script-title=ja:杉田智和『涼宮ハルヒの憂鬱』EDダンス披露でファン歓喜 足腰痛めて息切れも全力 |trans-title=Tomokazu Sugita shows of the dance to the ending of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya to fans' delight, gives his best despite legs and hits hurting and running out of breath |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2160953/full/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416170556/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2160953/full/ |archive-date=April 16, 2022 |accessdate=2023-07-14 |work=Oricon |language=ja}} This created a trend of cover dances of "Hare Hare Yukai" posted to the hashtag, participants of which included Tomokazu Sugita (the voice actor of Kyon) and Minoru Shiraishi (the voice actor of Taniguchi).{{cite web |date=2020-04-27 |script-title=ja:「涼宮ハルヒ」声優陣による「#お家で全力ハレ晴レユカイ」 白石稔も踊ってみた動画公開！「セクシーでお茶吹いた」 |trans-title=Continuing from the voice actors from Haruhi Suzumiya, Minoru Shiraishi's cover dance video is revealed! "I spat out my tea in a sexy way" |url=https://animeanime.jp/article/2020/04/27/53288.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706002504/https://animeanime.jp/article/2020/04/27/53288.html |archive-date=July 6, 2024 |accessdate=2023-11-25 |work=Anime! Anime! |language=ja}} This led "Hare Hare Yukai" to chart at no. 6 on the Billboard Japan Hot Animation in the same week.{{cite news |date=2020-04-29 |script-title=ja:【ビルボード】LiSA「紅蓮華」がアニメ歴代1位タイに、「#お家で全力ハレ晴レユカイ」で話題のハルヒ名曲がトップ10入り |trans-title=(Billboard) "Gurenge" by LiSA makes anime history by coming in at no. 1, hit song from Haruhi enters top 10 thanks to #HareHareYukaiAtHomeWithAllYourMight |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2160953/full/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416170556/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2160953/full/ |archive-date=April 16, 2022 |accessdate=2023-07-14 |work=Billboard Japan |language=ja}}
Personal life
In November 2010, Hirano posted a message on her Twitter account that she has had a pituitary gland tumor since junior high school. While not malignant, the tumor exerts pressure on certain motor functions, resulting in temporary memory loss, loss of vision and slurring of speech. She decided against elective surgery because the surgery would alter her nasal cavity and permanently modify her voice.{{cite web|url=http://www.narinari.com/Nd/20101114503.html|title=平野綾がTwitterで持病告白「たまに目が見えなくなったりするけど慣れた」。|trans-title=Aya Hirano Confesses Her Illness on Twitter: "I occasionally can't see, but I'm used to it."|date=November 3, 2010|access-date=June 1, 2011|language=ja| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110512064322/http://www.narinari.com/Nd/20101114503.html| archive-date= May 12, 2011 | url-status= live}}
On January 3, 2024, she announced her marriage to actor Masashi Taniguchi.{{Cite web |title=平野綾＆谷口賢志が結婚「一層精進して参ります」 代表作は『涼宮ハルヒ』ハルヒ役＆『ゴーゴーファイブ』ゴーブルー役 |url=https://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/25639190/ |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=ライブドアニュース |language=ja}} On September 11 of the same year, she announced that she and Taniguchi had separated and were currently in negotiations for a mutually-agreed divorce.{{Cite web |title=平野綾、夫・谷口賢志と「協議離婚の話し合い中」発表 結婚生活8カ月 文春DV疑惑報道「早期解決を」 |url=https://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/27163489/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=ライブドアニュース |language=ja}}
Public image
Once The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya broadcast in 2006, Hirano received widespread media attention and popularity, which led her to be known as a "super idol" in the voice acting industry.{{cite news | url=https://www.j-cast.com/2011/04/18093448.html?p=all | title=平野綾の声優人生が全否定された？ アッコ「涼宮ハルヒ」なんて誰も知らない | language=ja | work=J-Cast | date=April 18, 2011 | access-date=September 28, 2021}} In 2007, she was ranked No. 36 in Daitan Map's Top 50 Voice Actors.{{cite episode |series=大胆MAPスペシャル「人気アニメキャラクターの声やってる人全部見せますベスト50」 |network=TV Asahi |date=September 22, 2007 |language=ja}} She also notably became a voice actor who was able to cross over to mainstream media, where she began appearing on variety shows since 2010.{{cite news | url=https://getnews.jp/archives/3025386 | title=平野綾、『オトラクション』で久々のメディア出演…近影にファンら驚き | language=ja | work=Gadget News | date=June 4, 2021 | access-date=September 28, 2021 | archive-date=September 29, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929013130/https://getnews.jp/archives/3025386 | url-status=dead }} In 2011, Hirano was the 5th best-selling voice actress, making {{JPY|120 million}} in total sales.{{cite news | first=Egan | last=Loo | url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-12-02/top-selling-voice-actress/actor-by-sales/2011 | title=Top-Selling Voice Actresses/Actors: 2011 | work=Anime News Network | date=December 2, 2011 | access-date=September 28, 2021}}
Beginning in 2010, Hirano drew criticism from her anime {{transliteration|ja|otaku}} fanbase when she openly discussed her dating and sex life on the variety show Goût Temps Nouveau,{{cite news | first=Brian | last=Ashcraft | url=https://kotaku.com/voice-actress-pisses-off-otaku-5606155 | title=Voice Actress Pisses Off Otaku | work=Kotaku | date=August 6, 2010 | access-date=September 28, 2021}}{{cite news | url=https://getnews.jp/archives/70924 | title=平野綾がテレビで恋バナ解禁！ ファンが怒り狂い殺人予告まで？ | language=ja | work=Gadget News | date=August 5, 2010 | access-date=September 28, 2021}} as well as the implication that she was abandoning voice acting in favor of a career in mainstream entertainment.{{cite news | first=Brian | last=Ashcraft | url=https://kotaku.com/for-idols-even-twitter-following-is-scandalous-5708907 | title=For Idols, Even Twitter Following Is Scandalous | work=Kotaku | date=December 8, 2010 | access-date=September 28, 2021}}{{cite news | first=Brian | last=Ashcraft | url=https://kotaku.com/hello-duck-face-5676440 | title=Hello Duck Face | work=Kotaku | date=October 29, 2010 | access-date=September 28, 2021}}{{cite news | first=Brian | last=Ashcraft | url=https://kotaku.com/japans-most-controversial-voice-actress-coming-to-final-5749702 | title=Japan's Most Controversial Voice Actress Coming To Final Fantasy | work=Kotaku | date=February 2, 2011 | access-date=September 28, 2021}} In early 2011, an acquaintance of a Lantis employee leaked that Hirano had sexual relations with three of her band members, leading to the dismissal of all four of them; in August 2011, Japanese magazine Bubka published photos of their affair.{{cite news | url=https://www.asiaone.com/print/News/Latest%2BNews/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20110804-292695.html | title=Japanese pop star sacked over sex scandal | work=AsiaOne | date=August 4, 2011 | access-date=August 4, 2021 | archive-date=February 28, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228235935/https://www.asiaone.com/print/News/Latest%2BNews/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20110804-292695.html | url-status=dead }} The incidents caused several fans to destroy her merchandise, create petitions to remove her from her role in Kizumonogatari, and send death threats.{{cite news | first=Egan | last=Loo | url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-06-01/man-arrested-for-threatening-voice-actress-aya-hirano | title=Man Arrested for Threatening Voice Actress Aya Hirano | work=Anime News Network | date=2011-06-01 | accessdate=2022-12-20}} Hirano stopped posting on Twitter beginning on May 18, 2013, allowing her team to use her account as an information channel.{{cite news | url=https://www.j-cast.com/2013/05/23175762.html?p=all | title=平野綾がとうとうツイッターを終了 フォロアー38万人「もっと早く止めるべきだった」の声も | language=ja | work=J-Cast | date=May 23, 2013 | access-date=September 28, 2021}} In December 2022, Hirano stated on Twitter that she still receives death threats whenever she does voice acting work for anime and cites it as a reason why she has largely stepped away from anime voice acting.{{cite news | url=https://www.sanspo.com/article/20221217-NUTT5TGZJRHF7EQAVDVD4XQLJ4/ | title=声優・平野綾、一部の過激なアニメファンに苦言「未だに殺害予告やあることないことを騒ぎ立てられます」 | language=ja | work=Sankei Sports | date=December 17, 2022 | access-date=December 29, 2022}}
Filmography
=Anime=
= Live-action television series =
=Drama CDs=
=Film=
=Theatre=
=Dubbing roles=
Hirano has had dubbing roles in localized versions of a number of foreign television series and films.
=Video games=
Discography
=Studio albums=
=Compilation albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions |
| Title
! Oricon |
|---|
| align=left | Aya Museum
|
| 5 |
= Singles =
= Character albums and singles =
=Video albums=
Awards
References
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
{{Cite magazine|author=Mizukami, Jiro|author2=Kyuki, Akihiko|author3=Onitsuka, Kanako|author4=Fringe|title=Voice Actress Spotlight|magazine=Newtype USA|volume=6|issue=10|pages=142–143|date=October 2007|issn=1541-4817}}
{{Cite magazine|last1=Oochi|first1=Yoko|last2=Yoshida|first2=Moichi|title=Death Note|magazine=Newtype USA|volume=6|issue=12|pages=50–51
|date=December 2007|issn=1541-4817}}
|url = http://gph.sakura.ne.jp/va_memo/system/vadb.cgi?action=view_ind&value=00805&namecode=5
|script-title=ja:声優さん出演リスト 個別表示：平野綾
|trans-title = Voice actor's appearance list individual display: Aya Hirano
|work = Voice Artist Database
|publisher = GamePlaza-HARUKA-
|access-date = October 5, 2016
|date = July 7, 2016
|language = ja
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110204155637/http://gph.sakura.ne.jp/va_memo/system/vadb.cgi?action=view_ind&value=00805&namecode=5
|archive-date = February 4, 2011
|url-status = live
|df = mdy-all
}}
|url = http://www.usagi.org/doi/seiyuu/tanaka-atsuko/roles.html
|title = Hirano Aya roles
|work = Hitoshi Doi's Seiyuu Database
|access-date = October 5, 2016
|date = September 8, 2016
|last = Doi
|first = Hitoshi
|author-link = Hitoshi Doi
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150710012331/http://www.usagi.org/doi/seiyuu/tanaka-atsuko/roles.html
|archive-date = July 10, 2015
|url-status = live
|df = mdy-all
}}
|url = http://www.usagi.org/doi/seiyuu/hirano-aya/
|title = Hirano Aya (平野綾) – Personal Information
|work = Hitoshi Doi's Seiyuu Database
|access-date = October 5, 2016
|date = September 8, 2016
|last = Doi
|first = Hitoshi
|author-link = Hitoshi Doi
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161020143936/http://www.usagi.org/doi/seiyuu/hirano-aya/
|archive-date = October 20, 2016
|url-status = live
|df = mdy-all
}}
}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.ayahirano.jp}} {{in lang|ja}}
- {{anime News Network|people|6581}}
- [http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/285552/ Aya Hirano] at Oricon {{in lang|ja}}
{{Jewelpet}}
{{Seiyu Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role}}
{{Seiyu Award for Best Rookie Actress}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hirano, Aya}}
Category:Japanese child actresses
Category:Japanese women pop singers
Category:Japanese musical theatre actresses
Category:Japanese stage actresses
Category:Japanese video game actresses
Category:Lantis (company) artists
Category:Universal Music Japan artists
Category:Voice actresses from Nagoya
Category:20th-century Japanese actresses
Category:21st-century Japanese actresses
Category:21st-century Japanese women singers